Side note: if you really want to draw that fucking owl I recommend "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. It's a book about drawing (no surprise) that goes deeper than just the mechanics of drawing, so it's also fun to read.
I'm a self-taught writer and I think my biggest selling point is my personal voice in my work. I don't think you'd learn a personal style in artistry without brute forcing. I also think brute forcing your way to being talented is going to give you the ability to brute force your way through a block.
http://www.placidchaos.com/AM/index.php/2006/02/21/andrew_lo...